help choosing shopping cart

[clubcanine]

So, the shopping cart I am using is just not working for me. So, I'm looking for one with a few specifications. Maybe someone has a recommendation?

I need to customize my coupon and shipping options I sell two different categories of items...On one category I would like to offer 35% off when spending 100 dollars or more but only in that category. I don't want to offer that coupon towards other items in a different category. This feature I have found in many of the carts I looked at. It's the shipping/delivery I am having trouble with. I would like to offer free delivery in a certain area, maybe by using a zip code.

I am not one for coding and would just like a simple program. I have downloaded demos where I don't even know how to instal the program...take OSCommerce for example. I can't even try it because I don't know how to install it.

These seem like simple enough specifications but I cannot find the right cart.
Oh, I'd also like to keep it under $500

Thanks in advance!

[roban]

Give a look at Cube Cart. I'm a moderator there and can help you get up and running.

[clubcanine]

Hi, thanks so much for the reply. I have looked into that cart before and my notes say that it didn't have any discount coupons. I will look again, but does that sound wrong to you?

Thanks!

[roban]

You're correct. It doesn't out of the box but there are coupon mods available at our sister site www.cubecart.org.

[clubcanine]

Would that be easy to use and set up? I'm absolutely clueless as to using any programming!

[clubcanine]

Oh, I couldn't see the demo of the administration side of the program. THat was another reason I over looked it. I can't tell if when you set up a product if you can make options, etc.

[roban]

It should take 15 minutes to half an hour. I say 'should' because that's what it would take me to do it. I refer to the default setup. Customizing is another matter entirely. The cart requires Apache and mySQL to run on a host with php enabled. This is not an issue with most hosts today however.

Like I said in my first post, I am here to help you.

[roban]

Yes, product options are available. You can do colors, sizes. You can also price options like small, medium, large, extra large, etc all at different prices. Various shipping and payment gateways and affiliate programs are available. Various currencies and languages are supported.

[clubcanine]

Thanks, I was just looking at other stores and they seem to work well. I use godaddy as my host if that means anything. I'm clueless about the mysql, php, etc.
I also have a merchant account through quickbooks. I think it's called innovative merchant.

I think I mentioned this in my first post, but I will need to offer a quantity discount on one category only, not all categories. And I will need to offer free shipping to certain zip codes or customers. I have not seen this yet in a shopping cart.

Just briefly, how would I install this program? You don't have to go into details. I'm just looking to see if I will be able to do it!

Thanks again!!

[roban]

I have installed CC on GoDaddy so that's not a problem. The easiest way to install would be by FTP and upload the cart files to your root directory. You have to setup an empty database first and jot down the database name, user name and password as you'll need that for the setup to connect to the database and populate the tables. You'll also need to know the server address and you can get that from GoDaddy support or your host control panel. After you have all the information you'll go to your site's url like www.yoursite.com/install and follow the prompts, adding the information you have collected when asked. It should be as easy as that. It is for some and not for others.

There are paid mods available to do as you require. You may have to request a mod for the shipping issue. I have a shipping by value mod but that's not what you need.

[clubcanine]

I'm going to play around and see what I can do. I have to figure out godaddy first and how to set up a database and what exactl IS a database in godaddy! What is it that I need to find out from them? The server address? What is that?

Sorry I have so many questions...new to this!

[sal329]

How about a cart like Virtuemart? Oscommerce?

[roban]

I'm going to play around and see what I can do. I have to figure out godaddy first and how to set up a database and what exactl IS a database in godaddy! What is it that I need to find out from them? The server address? What is that?

Sorry I have so many questions...new to this!

It's hard to explain. I don't have a direct pipeline to Godaddy so I can't recall what the path is but it isn't too hard. I could walk you through it if I had access. Maybe calling their tech support would be the best way for you.

@sal329

OSC is not as user friendly and neither is the support from what I recall. I've used virtuemart. It's an addon for Joomla and works well. I can recommend it.

[ptf218]

You should also check out AFCommerce. It is very user friendly.

http://www.afcommerce.com